Contentions

Why on earth would anyone question Barack Obama’s belief in America? From the New York Times:

Some senior administration officials … noted that the tone set on this Sept. 11 should be shaped by a recognition that the outpouring of worldwide support for the United States in the weeks after the attacks turned to anger at some American policies adopted in the name of fighting terror — on detention, on interrogation, and the decision to invade Iraq.

So Americans should spend the tenth anniversary of 9/11 being remorseful about American policy. The best way to do this, according to the White House’s 9/11 observance guidelines, is to “honor and celebrate the resilience of individuals, families, and communities on every continent, whether in New York or Nairobi, Bali or Belfast, Mumbai or Manila, or Lahore or London.” Note the alliterative coupling of place names. It’s a good example of the tacky dime-store doggerel this White House habitually substitutes for genuine inspiration.

Anyway, apparently 9/11 didn’t happen to us, it happened to everyone. That’s the wound. Here’s the salt: According to the guidelines, “officials are to make the point that ‘Al Qaeda and its adherents have become increasingly irrelevant.’” Now, how did that happen? It couldn’t have anything to do with those mean policies we’re supposed to apologize for, could it?

To recap: This September 11, we are supposed to regret American anti-terrorism policy while simultaneously noting its successes. Got it? Now shout it out, from Pittsburgh to Peking, Tupelo to Toronto, Yangon to Yokohama. And by the way, if you can fit one clear idea into this hypocritical, faux-moral mush, try to spare a thought for the 3,000 Americans killed by Islamist terrorists ten years ago.